H V 

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Class H — 
Book vL 






/ 

TOTAL ABSTINENCE. 



EFFECT ON SOCIETY 



AND 



INDIVIDUALS. 

/ 

By J. R. WHEAT. 



ALBANY, N. T. : 
JOEL MUNSELL, PRINTER. 

1874. 



H 



6 



^ b 



^v 



TO 



MY FRIENDS 



TEMPERANCE CAUSE, AND ALL WHO WOULD BE 
FREE FROM INTEMPERANCE, 

THIS PAMPHLET 

Is fUs^ctfaUg SDebkatefc, 

WITH THE HOPE THAT SOME GOOD MAY BE 
DONE BY IT. 

J. R. W. 



TOTAL ABSTINENCE. 



ITS MEANING. 

We understand the words Total Abstinence to mean for a person 
not to use as a beverage, or even occasionally, whatever they may 
have decided in their own minds they can or are willing to leave 
entirely alone. 

The Temperance cause, as most people commonly term it; in our 
day, is founded almost entirely on this principle of Total Abstinence. 
Its advocates say to the public outside of their circle that it is wrong 
for any man or woman to use intoxicating drinks as a beverage; they 
say, only in cases of sickness or some severe cases should liquor be 
used internally. It is one thing for these men who believe in this 
doctrine of Total Abstinence to make this assertion, and another 
thing to give some good reasons for it, and see if their professions 
will stand the test of argument. The majority of all classes of men 
admit that this drinking habit is causing great misery in our nation, 
and that thousands of smaller evils are following close on the whiskey 
business, and yet they cannot exactly say that they believe in totally 
abstaining themselves. They say every man should be his- own 
master, drink or let it alone. The man who will drink to excess, 
and use all his money in that way is a fool. This is their argument. 
They forget men are not all constituted alike, that some can drink 
or let it alone, while others of weaker minds cannot. Hundreds of 
different things cause men to drink, and the habit once formed holds 
man, the same as any other habit, until very often nothing but death 
will release him. In view of these things, who dare contradict and 
call the man a fanatic who says the only safe rule is Total Absti- 
nence ? But how many reasons might be given to prove that these 
Temperance men are about correct in their principles, and we sup- 
pose no one in this age would try to oppose this great work of reform 
now going on? You all read for yourselves and say it is right, so 
we will just give a few thoughts as they have presented themselves 



to us and pass on. The habit of drinking intoxicating drinks helps 
to destroy both body and mind, and puts man very often on the level 
with the animal ; and completely ruins him for active and social life, 
the very elements in which he was designed to live. 

For individuals to use these drinks moderately, they form ap- 
petites which can be broken and controlled at will by few ; while 
the majority of our moderate drinkers do not stop there, but con- 
tinue on until they are blanks in society, and disgrace themselves 
and humanity. In proof of this statement, we point you to facts of 
history and your own personal observation. Wherever you have 
noticed its eflfect on individuals, and whatever way you look at this 
question, whether morally or financially, you must come to this con- 
clusion, that these advocates of Total Abstinence, when they say these 
things are so, speak the truth. 



ITS RISE AND PROGRESS. 
The way in which this question first came to be agitated, and its 
bad effect being seen so plainly in America, not only by men of one 
idea, as some call them, but by all who had given it any thought 
whatever, was owing to the fact that it was increasing so rapidly, 
and crime was of so common occurrence, men began to say something 
was wrong in the country. Here we have our churches on almost 
every corner, schools established all over, men preaching the Glospel, 
and yet something is at work counteracting all these good influences. 
" What is it ? " Soon the echo could be heard in the distance : The 
drinking customs are ruining America, stop that and you shutdown 
on your greatest foe. Men looked in the future — where are our young 
men going ? was the question, the answer was to destruction ! What 
hope then for our country? None ! for no nation can long stand, 
if its young are allowed to grow up dissipated. The whole net work 
of society was seen to be giving away, and the look ahead was dark. 
As soon as men began to realize the situation, a movement was 
started to organize an army of moral forces to overthrow the rum 
power. How much success they have met with it is needless for 
me to state. Feeling the power there would be in organized bodies 
they said we will band ourselves together and destroy the rum traffic- 
ers, or they can destroy us. If we let them alone, longer, we are ruined, 
and if* we unite and commence action, and get defeated, so let it be. 



So the conflict between right and wrong commenced j to-day, they 
stand well armed and drilled, still on the field of battle, contending 
for the same principle they started with ; you stop making drunkards 
and knock in the head of whiskey barrels, then go your way in 
peace ; until you do so, we will oppose you in every lawful manner. 
Which of these two parties is on the side of humanity and religion, 
is so plain that the passer by cannot but notice. So this movement 
started. At times it has seemed to die away, but like ti e spirit in 
man it can never die, but has always come forth looking brighter 
after every conflict, and with new champions to defend it j the future 
is still before us. 

" Truth crushed to earth shall rise again." 



YOUR DUTY. 

Every man has his influence for good or evil, which it is impossi- 
ble for him to destroy or conceal, and this being the case the question 
arises, what is your duty in relation to this movement, for or against ? 
Where are you ? Most certainly on one side ; and if not on the right, 
where are you ? This question has gone so far and made such rapid 
progress, as to demand the attention of one and all. So no man can 
deny but what it has become a mighty power for good in the world, 
because its effect on society and individuals all see for themselves. 
What then is your duty, to unite with and help it along, or with- 
draw your influence and money from it, and do that much toward 
chaining the wheels ? When Mr. Davis and our brothers at the 
south, said we will separate, dissolve partnership with the north, and 
raised the rebel flag, nearly all men at once took sides and supported 
the government. Then your duty was plain to stand by the national 
flag, let the result be as it might, because it was absolutely wrong for 
the south to lift the arm of rebellion against lawful authority, and 
well they feel it now, and mourn over a lost cause. So in this 
moral warfare they have not, because they dare not, rise in arms 
and show their true colors always, and yet the spirit of rebellion 
lies hidden there, it is the serpent in the grass, a secret enemy 
always worse than the open foe, and standing behind their fort of 
dollars, are doing more to destroy governments and homes, than if 
in arms on the battle field. 

The simple fact, that men will manufacture, and sell these drinks 



for the sole purpose of gain, and no other, should convince all honest 
men what their duty is. On all sides the lesson is being taught 
daily, both in public and private life, that the human family is one 
common brotherhood, and are in this world to promote each other's 
happiness ; and nearly all believe in the teachings of the Bible, and 
yet a certain portion take the liberty, and are allowed to cause a 
great deal of misery, and ruin their fellow man, and say I am not 
responsible ! Oh, we wish we could impress upon the mind of every 
young man, the great importance of pledging himself to Total 
Abstinence in the morning of life, before habits are formed which 
will be hard to break ! You trifle now, and say I have nothing to 
fear, but remember, you have something to fear from the Wine 
Bottle ! Be warned in time, and " shun the paths of the destroyer." 
The social custom of society, young men are daily going to ruin, 
through this one thing ! The question is asked, won't you take 
something ? And they yield. Young man, in the Temperance ranks 
there is room for you ! If you have talent, here you can use it, 
and do some good, your influence will be on the right side. And, 
before we close, we ask you this question : What is your duty ? 



A WORD WITH TEMPERANCE MEN. 
Brothers: We wage war on one common enemy, that is, strong 
drink ! I care not what association you belong to, if your motto reads, 
Total Abstinence from these things, then, we welcome you as co- 
workers with us, we stand pledged to do all in our power to destroy 
the enemy. Are we doing it ? As I look around, I see this enemy 
of ours very strongly fortified ; in one place, we see him standing 
behind his works, with the greenback in his fingers, saying, the law 
allows me to sell ; gentlemen, do not disturb me in my lawful busi- 
ness; in another place ; you see him looking over his breastworks, 
and saying, come in and see some of my Temperance converts here, 
they are working for me, once they opposed, now they are willing 
subjects of mine. For want of moral courage to say, No, Sir, to some 
pretended friend, they deserted our army, and went over to the 
enemy. These things we cannot deny, they are too true. In ano- 
ther place you find our enemy saying, " our best citizens have signed 
my license; some Temperance men take a drink here occasionally, our 
best politicians (who are said to be gentlemen in every respect) are 



on our side " (anything to get in office). And so these enemies of ours, 
continue in their lawful business, as they term it, and I write 
these things, my brothers, for your benefit, and to keep you on 
guard, and make you watchful. And yet, we are pledged to do, all in 
our power, to destroy our enemy. And yet we hear words like these ; 
some are growing weary and falling out, some are fearing we can never 
succeed, and the call is as strong to-day, as ever ! Save our people ! 
it can be done ! only, keep close on the enemy ! every man to his 
post of duty ! keep out of the enemies hands ! give him no com- 
munications ! cut all the wires along the line ! when he presents the 
almighty dollar, as his refuge, then you present the Almighty God 
and his word as yours ! and say, we conquer by this sign, and the 
time will come when the handwriting on the wall will be seen in 
such clear letters that he will begin to tremble, and run in confu- 
sion, only let us be faithful, and press onward ! never let it be said, 
that you deserted in time of action, or when some swamp of difficulty 
had to be passed through. The ladies, who are the pioneers in this 
work, are out ahead, clearing up the roads, and all we have to do, 
is follow close on, and hold the land passed over ! weaken the enemy 
at every point ! sometimes openly ! sometimes secretly ! wherever 
duty calls, go forward, and my advice to all who are already pledged 
to this work, is, remain firm in your principles ! remember, that 
in every department of life, the call comes for faithful, hoDest, 
straightforward men and women. Our mission, is to lift up, and 
make better our fellow man. We are on the side of right, our 
enemies being judges. Our labor ceases at Death, and may the 
record read with all of you, died with the armor on. 



THE FINAL DESTRUCTION OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC. 
We read in sacred history, words like these : " Because Judgment 
against an evil work is not speedily executed, the hearts of the child- 
ren of men are fully set in them to do evil." We think this text 
will apply well in the case of all engaged in liquor selling. They 
see for themselves that the day of Judgment is speedily coming for 
their traffic ; their race is nearly run, although they will not admit 
it. They are allowed to go, year after year, paying money to ce$% 
tain officials in every town or city, and getting for it a paper, giving 
them power and authority to go on, and do as much injury as they 



8 

please, indirectly and very often directly, only do it in a kind of re- 
spectable way : " allow no gambling in the house; have so many 
rooms, etc./' and do this thing with as little confusion as possible ; 
but at the same time do it. What difference does it make to you, 
my reader, whether some man, on the highway, says, " your money 
or your life," and takes every cent you have ; or whether, some man, 
who pretends great friendship, borrows every dollar you own, and 
very nicely and systematically — because law will not oblige him — 
cheats you out of every cent ? 

The acts in these two cases are quite different ; but the principle 
is the same as with this rum trade — ruin a man and family, but do 
it lawfully — there is so much of this respectable way of sinning in 
these latter days, because judgment is not speedily executed; but it 
is sure to come ! our people are getting their eyes opened ! some 
men tell us it will always continue ; but we cannot so read the 
times ! What was done in the west, last winter ? How this will be 
accomplished we cannot tell, whether by moral suasion or legal sua- 
sion ; but let both these elements unite, and the work is complete ! 
If all societies now in existence, who are trying to kill the traffic, 
will remain faithful — with what will unite with them — they can 
break down the drinking customs in America ! who doubts it ? 

Ask the man, who sells liquor, why he does it ? Ask him if he 
cannot see the injury he is doing ? And the reply comes back 
" Am I my brother's keeper ?" We say, yes, sir, you are; and they 
deny it. 

Why is it that men engage in this business, sooner than in any 
other ? Because the most money comes in from it ! They will 
barter away soul, friends,- a pleasant home ; ruic their children ; 
all these things for money ! and at last must die, and leave it all ! 
and the world moves on, and says, " here lies a rich man !" 
" But, what shall it profit a man !" 

Their motto is, " let me make money and all will be well ! every 
man paddles his own canoe !" 

Because judgment is delayed, " their hearts are fully set in them 
to do evil." But as we look out in the future, we see the Temper- 
ance army moving on ! Its leaders give the command : " remember 
your Pledge !" and the answer is heard, all along the line, 

PROHIBITION ! 






